Read More

Mr Hobbs continued: “The audience made it crystal clear that the question of ‘footfall’ together with telephone and digital means of communication was simply not acceptable.

“One female member of the audience summed it up nicely when she said, ‘We know that you are trying to defend the indefensible'.”

"Forthcoming cuts would have a detrimental effect on Ealing policing" (Image: PA)

Cuts in Southall would mean Ealing police will lose eight cells and, as Chief Superintendent Paul Martin said at the meeting, station closures will mean the number of cells in London being reduced.

According to Mr Hobbs, this will result in officers with prisoners hunting around London for cell space when those on their borough are full, which can “add hours to the time a police vehicle is unable to deal will calls”.

The “less than impressed” audience then raised concerns about the implications of police station closures in Ealing on response times.

If proposals are approved, the only functioning police station in the borough will be in Acton (Image: Ealing Gazette)

Read More

Borough commander Paul Martin suggested response officers start at different times so there are always vehicles patrolling, and added that Mobile Data Terminals would mean officers would have to return to stations less frequently.

However, former officer Mr Hobbs said those with policing experience knew that those furthest away from the 'mother' station would suffer from less frequent patrolling and poorer response times.

'Symbols of security'

He also suggested that closing police stations would mean “symbols of security” are lost, which will have a direct impact on the safety in the borough.

“Police stations are not simply all about reporting crime, ‘footfall’ and front counters," Mr Hobbs added.

“What appears to be lost on the powers that be is that police stations are symbols of security to all those living in that particular area.

“Take away the police station, especially in a town as vibrant as Southall, and you take away a chunk of security from every law-abiding individual and family living in the town.”

Local residents voiced concerns that the closures would impact on response times (Image: Manchester Evening News)